Sermon Snippet – Preparing for an Uncertain Future – Part III
INTRODUCTION – We have studied this topic for the last two weeks, considering especially the economic and the eternal. Today, let us think about the emotional aspects of this biblical subject, for our Savior God cares about all areas of our lives.
1. WHEN WE ARE BRUISED BY LIFE, OUR SAVIOR LOVINGLY EMBRACES US
Matthew 12:14-21 references Isaiah 42:1-4, a Messianic passage fulfilled in God the Son, Jesus Christ. “A bruised reed” (verse 20) has no practical use, no value. It cannot be employed to construct storage containers, baskets, ornaments, or flute-like musical instruments, all common usages at that time. We are often like these bruised reeds, pummeled by people and crushed by circumstances. All of us have been hurt by the heat of hate. We have experienced much that we could never have envisioned, culturally but also personally. A world that disdains Jesus would gladly and casually cast us aside. By complete contrast, Christ Jesus will “not break” us. Rather, He cherishes us and wraps us in His love: “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27a). His is a gentle embrace.
2. THE CERTAINTY OF THIS LOVE IS BASED UPON THE FINISHED WORK OF OUR SAVIOR
Isaiah 53:3-5 says of the Savior, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Jesus was “bruised” in the hardest and harshest of ways, for He was crushed on the Cross by our sins. It seemed that, like a “bruised reed,” He was cast aside as useless. Of course, just the opposite was true: what He accomplished was everlastingly useful. On the emotional level, we can think of Jesus’ cry from the Cross – “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46b) – and recognize that He really does understand when we feel used and used up. He is more than sympathetic; He is truly empathetic. His empathy is demonstrated and effectual in meeting our deepest, greatest needs: “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). His concern for us is thus active and efficacious.
3. THIS LOVE OF OUR SAVIOR SETS US FREE TO LIVE
Luke 4:14-21 includes a reference to Isaiah 61:1-2a, a prophetic passage predicting the ministry of the Messiah. Part of this ministry of Jesus is found at the end of verse 18: “To set at liberty them that are bruised.” Newer translations use “oppressed” instead of “bruised”; the picture is one of being pressed in, hemmed in, by the wickedness of a godless world. Many scoff at our faith and call it nothing more than a crutch. I would ask them, “What is your crutch? And what does your crutch do for you?” Money, possessions, power, drugs, good times – do these things set us free now and eternally? No, they enslave us and provide no heavenly eternity. Jesus does not bruise us or break us; rather, He liberates us to live differently. He does not hold us up with a crutch; He holds us up with His spike-shattered hands and holds us in the eternal embrace of His “everlasting arms.”
CONCLUSION – In Psalm 51:17b, David writes, “A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.” “Contrite” here means “crushed” – that is, bruised well beneath the surface. Deep down, our sins have broken and crushed us. We need the embrace of Jesus; we need His forgiveness; we need to be set free. Trust in Him for His eternal salvation; be liberated everlastingly from the slavery of sin. Each day, may we then know that Jesus cares for us and that His care is real, active, and everpresent, for He has promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5c).